Are Short Stories Making a Come Back? Tell Me What You Think?

I have always loved short stories. As a teenager I remember devouring the work of Somerset Maugham, who was considered a master of the genre. I enjoyed the way that you were instantly immersed in a particular story or world. How the dynamics moved forward with a particular intensity. And how the best of the stories delivered a satisfying, unexpected twist at the end.

Despite the attractions of short stories, I later came to discover that publishers avoid them because they don’t sell. Readers buy novels and non-fiction, went the received wisdom, and it was only a rare few authors who could generate much excitement from short form fiction.

Knowing this, you may wonder why I wrote my collection of ‘Bedtime Buddha’ stories, The Astral Traveler’s Handbook & Other Tales, published recently. The simple answer is that I didn’t. At least not consciously. I didn’t sit down one day thinking, “I know. I’m going to go against the collective wisdom of the publishing world and write a book of short stories that proves them all wrong!”

What happened, rather, is that I sat down to work on an idea, and the idea seemed punchier and more engaging as a short story than as the novel I had imagined it was going to become.

By the time I’d ended up with the finished short story, a few other short story ideas had sparked in my mind. One thing led to another. I found myself in a flurry of writing – I wrote most of one story – The Island of Jewels – on an airplane trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls. It felt not so much a case of me choosing to write stories, as me being chosen to write them!

Towards the end of this process, I came to the reluctant recognition that I had probably invested more time than I should in a work of limited interest to readers. It was at this time that I stumbled on an article in The Times (UK) about a revival in short stories.

Apparently, sales of the genre in Britain jumped 45 per cent last year, driven by collections from Tom Hanks, Alice Munro and Jojo Moyes. The viral success of Cat Person, published in the New Yorker has also apparently brought home how short stories can appeal to people who may very rarely read entire novels.

Jason Arthur of Penguin Random House was quoted as saying “If a novel is something that you can lose yourself in, get comfortable in and spend weeks reading, a short story will give you a blast like a cold shower.”

Podcasts have been credited with helping revive the genre (on which subject, you can access two short story audio downloads by going to the Free Stuff button on my website and providing an email address where I can send them to you. Don’t worry, you can Unsubscribe at any time). What the publishing cognoscenti seem to agree is that the revival of short stories shouldn’t be attributed merely to limited attention spans or being time poor.

Have I unexpectedly caught the start of a rising wave of renewed interest in short stories? Do they have a particular place in the mind/body/spirit genre, given the power of parables? Isn’t it high time that bedtime stories were offered to grown-ups? As the Dalai Lama’s Cat – who contributes the Foreword to the new book – might ask: what do you think, dear reader?

Please do let me have your comments in the box below. I’m genuinely interested to know what you think.

And if you haven’t already snagged your copy of The Astral Traveler’s Handbook & Other Tales, for a very limited, introductory period it’s available in ebook formats for an unbeatable US$2.99

If, on the other hand, you have already bought a copy, I’d be very grateful for a rating on amazon. I only recently discovered that only 1% of readers post amazon reviews. But ratings are crucially important in giving confidence to possible new readers. You’ll find links to the relevant amazon pages below.

About author

David Michie (David Michie)

Comments (8)

pat

I grabbed the ebook version of Astral Traveler at Kobo yesterday & discover it’s really hard to read only one! Something like peanuts or potato chips / crisps, can’t eat just one. My e-reader has a few gentle reads for just before going to sleep so my mind isn’t full of the mostly gratuitous violence of thrillers and mysteries. I think Lama Lotsawa would agree about the mysteries. Astral Traveler is a perfect addition to the collection & I hope you continue with the series as you are inspired. And these stories are truly inspired and inspiring; what’s not to love?

As for short stories, IMO it would be a good thing if they’re making a comeback. There’s plenty of room for more good ones. I’m a big fan of Maeve Binchy, who as a journalist and fiction writer was thoroughly familiar with short form articles and stories. Some of her novels (Chestnut Street comes immediately to mind) are a string of short stories that can be read as novels or each chapter as a self contained short story. These are not great literature, but do have lots of heart, humor, and wisdom.

Hi Pat, Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I am so glad that you’re finding The Astral Traveler stories inspiring! And like you say, there’s plenty of room for more short stories. I was very interested by your take on Maeve Binchy whose appeal is huge! Warm wishes, David

johanna

Hi David,
I personally LOVE short stories, and The Astral Traveler was perfect for the last story before bed read! I think they were just the right length, but like Pat I had trouble just stopping at one! And since I read your emails and blogs I ended up reading ahead during the day and then saying Doh! (one less to read later).

Did short stories ever go out of fashion?! Some of my favorite stories were shorts, because words had to be chosen carefully, thoughts distilled, until the impact was perfect… who doesn’t remember speeding through The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, [gasp]?!

I will be giving The Astral Traveler a second read because I think I sped through it first time around, and it really needs a second “soaking” read. Definitely wonderful stories the first time around.

IMHO Yes Please!! bring back the short story–collections like The Astral Traveler are always welcomed by the savvy readers 🙂

Hi Johanna, I really am so glad that you enjoyed this first collection of Bedtime Buddha stories. And I’m especially heartened that you feel they are worthy of a second reading! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and thank you for your support! Warm wishes, David

Jennifer Utley

I just loved your short stories. We need more of them. They are just the right size and content for reading in bed. There is something so comforting about night time stories. Please, please give me more!!!
Also I certainly can relate to your giving your cat you jacket. We recently lost our girl of 17yrs and you book Buddhism for Pet Lovers was a great help. We had a way of knowing what to do for her as well as for us. I must tell you that she had lung Ca and breathing problems for some time ;before she went and I was aat the Dr repeatedly with a cough I could not shake nor find out the cause of. Two days after she left us my cough cleared up. So it must work both ways with animals not just that they can tell when we are ill. Thanks for your books.

So sorry to hear about the death of your little girl, Jennifer. I am glad that you found the practices mentioned in my book useful, and trust you have continued with them as she moves through the bardo. We are so privileged to have these tools available to help those around us, as well as ourselves. And how intriguing to hear about your cough. Warm wishes, David

Pamela Mohle'

Hello David–
I have just discovered you and your writing (and audio books) recently via your Dalai Lama’s Cat series. A friend and I are quite smitten with this character and her stories. On a chance, I queried to see if there was any possibility one or more books in the series might be considered for a movie. I was delighted to find that a movie is in the works! However, the last mention I’ve found of it so far is from last year. Could you please direct me to where any more recent news might be found? I dearly hope the project has not derailed for any reason. I also very much hope that if the movie is made, it will be true to the spirit of the books, and of course to herself, HHC! Thank you for these wonderful stories set in such an exotic and magical-seeming place.
Namaste,
Pam Mohle’

Hi Pamela, There’s no news at the moment on the movie. We’re trying to schedule the teaser trailer needed to show potential investors. Hopefully this will happen some time in the next few months. But sincere thanks for your interest. Warm wishes, David

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